Ukrainian photographer says war took his legs, but not also his great hope

The exhibition titled, The Unbroken: Light Through Darkness, signed by Ukrainian photographer Serhii Khimiush, was inaugurated in the parliament’s hall today. The photographs not only depict the traces of destruction caused by the war, but also the faces of those who, despite losses, maintain their dignity and hope.

Serhii Khimiush emphasized that each picture was a testament to courage, solidarity and the strength to remain unbroken in the toughest moments.

"It is a great pleasure to be here. The war took my legs, but not my great hope. Moldova is a second homeland for me, so it is an honor to launch my first exhibition in this country and this parliament. At the beginning of the war, no one was prepared; I was in Kyiv and I started helping people as a volunteer; then I picked up the camera and started capturing everything around. It's important to show the world the terrible things happening in Ukraine, our torment and fight, but also our belief in peace. In these photos, you can see a wide range of emotions and experiences. My mission is to show you what I and the Ukrainians felt in the first months of the war. Each photo has a small story behind it," said Serhii Khimiush.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu. The official said that these pictures reminded him of what he had seen in Bucha a few years ago.

"We see in the photos residential buildings, not military objects. So, these are deliberately chosen targets, in order to destroy the peaceful life of citizens. This exhibition is inaugurated at a very symbolic moment - on the eve of Ukraine's Independence Day. Ukrainians represent an example and a model for us; by defending their independence, they defend us and the whole of Europe. You have our full respect; we will stand with Ukraine all the time and do our utmost to help and contribute to achieving just peace. Serhii, thank you very much for your sacrifice, for your courage, through your eyes, we can see the atrocities, but also the courage of Ukrainians, civilians and military who defend their country with dignity," said Igor Grosu.

The exhibition is organized by the Ministry of Culture, the National History Museum of Moldova, in partnership with the Embassy of Ukraine in Chisinau, in the context of Ukraine's Independence Day, marked on August 24.

"We celebrate Ukraine's Independence Day, but we are also ahead of a fundamental holiday for the Republic of Moldova - Independence Day. Ukraine is a country with a very rich history. In 2014, Putin's criminal regime first annexed part of Ukraine - Crimea, part of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and in February 2022, it launched a full-scale war against Ukraine. They thought that the Ukrainian people would greet Russian occupiers with flowers, but it was not to be because Putin didn't understand that he would fight not only with an army, but with an entire nation. The Ukrainian people have shown resilience, love for their homeland, but most importantly, dignity that can never be sold," said Pаun Rohovei, Ukraine's Ambassador to Moldova.

The official noted that Ukraine was in a difficult situation, but it is supported by international partners on the way to durable peace.

"Every day people die, but we are not alone. We are heard, supported by the international community, our strategic partners, all the states that stand by us and do everything possible to bring peace closer as soon as possible. And here I would like to speak about the role of our friendly and neighboring state, Moldova, which from the first days of this aggression against Ukraine, stood by Ukraine. I extend sincere thanks and gratitude to the country's president, parliament, government, civil society and the people who opened not only their doors for my fellow citizens, but also their hearts. We have close cooperation in the fields of economy, energy and security. We are two states that form a very important nucleus in this Black Sea region," added Pаun Rohovei.

At the same time, the ambassador referred to a just peace and a prosperous future for Ukraine and Moldova.

"This exhibition shows the tragic actions, but at the same time, the dignity of the people of Ukraine. I wish that the citizens of Moldova and Ukraine welcome a morning when we can say it's peace - we are democratic and free states in the great European family. Long live Ukraine, long live Moldova!" concluded Pаun Rohovei.

The exhibition can be visited at the parliament’s headquarters till this August 26. Also, in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, on the evening of August 24, the building of the legislature will be illuminated in the colors of Ukraine's flag.